Iran: 53 civilians killed in U.S. attacks in under a month

Iran reported that 53 civilians were killed and 592 injured during limited U.S. military strikes that commenced late last month, according to foreign media citing an Iranian health ministry official. These attacks occurred within a period of less than a month, ending July 22.

Following an initial 40-day war, the U.S. and Iran agreed to a ceasefire on April 8. They subsequently signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding for peace on June 17. A meeting between the U.S. Vice President and the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament in Switzerland four days later concluded without breakthroughs, similar to a prior meeting in Pakistan.

While working-level talks were expected to continue, Iran's actions on June 25 and 26 saw merchant ships attacked as they attempted to navigate the Strait of Hormuz via a southern route, not the designated route within Iranian territorial waters. In response, the U.S. attacked Iranian coastal targets on June 27.

The U.S. maintains that it respects international agreements, particularly regarding the non-attack of civilians during wartime, and asserts it has upheld this principle. However, Iran disputes this, claiming that U.S. forces attacked coastal areas late at night on July 23.